IOTC's 30th Annual Meeting Officially Commences in the Maldives

The 30th annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) has officially commenced in the Maldives today.

Today's ceremony was graced by Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam. In addition, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam and Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed also participated in the ceremony.

In his inaugural address, Minister Ahmed Shiyam highlighted the strong connection between Maldivians and the ocean. He also noted the sustainable policies adopted by the Maldives to manage fisheries in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Furthermore, the Minister emphasized the importance of international cooperation and making science-based decisions. He also stressed the importance of acknowledging the voices and situations of coastal states and Small Island Developing States in managing tuna resources. The Minister expressed his hope that the discussions held by the commission would be productive and constructive.

This is the first time an IOTC annual meeting is being held in the Maldives. Hosting such important meetings in the Maldives demonstrates the leading role the country plays in formulating fisheries policies and managing the sector at regional and international levels.

Hosting this IOTC meeting in the Maldives symbolizes the special priority given by the government, under the guidance of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, to strengthen the fisheries sector and expand the Maldives' role in regional and international ocean governance.

The IOTC is a regional fisheries management organization responsible for the conservation and sustainable management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean.

The 30th annual meeting of the IOTC, which will be held from the 4th to the 15th of this month at Barceló Nasandhura, is attended by over 200 delegates, fisheries experts, and senior officials from Indian Ocean coastal states and around the world.